SKIP AHEAD
- Highlights
- Why Japan Is More Expensive Than Other Asian Countries
- General Expenses in Japan
- Make the Most of Your Budget When Visiting Japan
Every year, more and more tourists take Japan as their destination of choice, but Japan is certainly not a cheap place to visit, especially compared to the rest of Asia. In fact, it is one of the most expensive Asian countries , but this doesn't need to discourage you!
Prices are high, but so is the quality of service. We have chosen to focus our survey below on the prices of food, transport, and accommodation, the three major items in every traveler's budget.
You will see that it is still quite possible to travel in Japan, stay within your budget, and have a wonderful experience you will never forget. Keep reading for some idea about the likely budget for your next trip to Japan!
Highlights
- Japan is one of the best-developed Asian countries and so one of the most expensive
- Accommodation, food, and transport are more expensive in Japan than in other Asian countries
- Planning your budget ahead of time is a great way of avoiding too much hassle when you visit
- There are tons of ways to save money and stay within your budget
- without having to sacrifice the best parts of your trip
Why Japan Is More Expensive Than Other Asian Countries
Waitress at the club lounge
A lot of factors contribute to making Japan more developed than other Asian countries and therefore more expensive to live in or visit. First of all, Japan is a fairly remote island, and this has made it difficult for other countries to engage with its economy, allowing Japan to develop on its own terms.
The Japanese government has always been regarded as legitimate, and this stability has greatly helped with economic development. The modernizing reforms under the Meiji and subsequent governments were accompanied by political and cultural changes, but Japanese people always managed to adapt foreign ideas to their own advantage.
Nowadays, living in Japan means paying a high rent and high transportation cost. Of course, high prices come along with efficiency, making the quality of life in Japan among the highest in the world.
Thanks to a fundamentally courteous culture, visitors meet with warm hospitality. In many situations, bows are part of the service, for instance, in department stores and hotels
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| Alisa Liu is a star to work makes Asia Highlights even better Alisa Liu was my contact person for Asia Highlights. She was remarkably punctual, she was thoughtful, and she handle an emergency on my end, with grace and patience. She recommended great hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Japan that put us in the center of the action. The guides she choose were personable, punctual a knowledgeable about their cities. Brent Zadorozny, Oct 2023 | Excellent service Started using Asia Highlights to plan my trip to Japan. Sharon was very helpful, giving me all the information I would need for the tour. I would definitely use Asia Highlights again, when planning another trip to Asia. Rachel Nelson, Oct 2023 | Japan tour Our airport pick-up went very smoothly. Our guide, Vivian, on the second day was very nice, very accommodating, took into account our preferences. In Osaka, our trip to the castle was a very long walk with lots of steps to climb and quite honestly wasn’t very interesting. But Dotonburi is a must-see and we enjoyed that very much.Our trip to Hiroshima was very memorable. I highly recommend it. Our guide, Etsuko, was very knowledgeable and kind. The trip to Miyajima island, on the other hand, wasn’t too memorable. Our next city, Kyoto, is a truly wonderful place to visit. All the temples we went to were very interesting and very distinctive from each other (Kinkakuji temple, Nijo castle, Sanjusangendo temple,Kiyumizo temple, Fushimi Inari shrine, Kasuga Taisha shrine, Tojaidi temple). The sake tour was a downer and wouldn’t recommend it.Our guide, Ritsuko, was a darling. She was very knowledgeable too and kind and warm and easy to talk to. Our last tour in Tokyo was a rainy day and Sue, our guide, was able to change our tour to the next day. She was so efficient and so accommodating and so kind and very knowledgeable too. Mrs Cristina Hidalgo Loris, Oct 2023 | Very good tour of Japan Very good tour around Japan for 10 days, including Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. Excellent guides and experiences. Albee, the tour organiser, was always available to sort out changes to itinerary or extra requests. Guy Slimmon, Oct 2023 | Everything is good All of the hotels were wonderful and our guides were super friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. We had a 10 day trip that included multiple cities and lots of different sights, we squeezed in as much as we could, including a 2 day hiking trip to Mt. Fuji (our guide Sun Nan was awesome!). Our guide in Tokyo, Jennifer, was lovely and our guide for 2 days in Kyoto, Dennis, was also super great. We did a food tour in Osaka with Vivian which was niceSallie Fujimoto-Swun Ideale Tran, Oct 2023 | Thank you for the wonderful experience… Thank you for the wonderful experience we all truely enjoyed. From the beginning (making first contact with Sharon from Asia Highlights) to the end (Saying good bye to our amazing guide Lilly) the experience was top notch. Great communication while preparing the trip and excellent local knowledge of our tour guide. I can highly recommend Asia Highlights and would not hesitate to use them again for our next trip. Dany Gruosso, Oct 2023 | Vacations in Japan The guides Jessie and Vivian were very kind and professionals and the drivers as well. In a future vacation we will get in touch with Asia Highlights without a doubt. Hilda Andrade, Oct 2023 | Experience with Asia Highlights This was my first time working with a travel agent to plan an international trip and because of the seamless experience I had, I have decided to always work with an agent when booking international trips. Asia Highlights did an amazing job in ensuring we found a trip that worked well for our budget and provided us with special experiences in Japan that exceeded our expectations. From travel logistics in Japan to lodging and activities, we felt taken care of. If I had known that travel agents were this helpful, I would have worked with them in my prior travels. I definitely plan to book my next trip to Asia with this agent. Adie Ballantyne, Oct 2023 | Jason and Cathy from Asia Highlights… Jason and Kathy from Asia Highlights did a great job for us. They were very responsive and professional. Hotel choices and attractions made for a wonderful first time trip to Japan. Norman and Mary Van Zante, Sep 2023 | This was one of the best experiences in… This was one of the best experiences in Travel that I have ever had... and I have traveled extensively. The reliability of the the driver and guide, the kindness each displayed (different people in different cities same result) and the flexibility to work with my family's requests was outstanding. I now wish for this experience where ever I may travel next! Donna Huck, Sep 2023 | Prompt response! First and foremost, this review is based strictly on prompt response from Asia Highlights.I was browsing Asia Highlights website on the night of September 17th 2023 and really impressed of the positive reviews. So I decided to send an e-mail for an estimate of a private tour guide in Tokyo Japan for 6 days/7 nights including hotel accommodation for my 90-year-old father and I. I provided as much information as I can what areas of interest we would like to visit.I was really expecting a 72-hour delay response from Asia Highlights given time difference in California and Japan. The following day, I received an e-mail from Kate Long. Impressive! Kate provided a very detailed suggested itinerary with great consideration for my 90-year-old father. I truly appreciated her thoughtfulness!I will definitely reach out to Asia Highlights on our next trip!Thank you Kate! F K, Sep 2023 | Perfectly planned and organized Albee at Asia Highlights created a diverse, fun-filled itinerary for our trip. She listened carefully to our interests and made sure that we made the best use of our time in Japan. Our local guides, drivers and vehicles were excellent. Albee was always available to answer all my questions with a lightening fast response time. A very memorable experience and I would definitely book with Asia Highlights again. Carol Ann Paget Brown, Sep 2023 | Sharon provided great service while… Sharon provided great service while planning and booking our Japan trip! Unfortunately, we had to cancel due to family medical reasons. Sharon was very understanding of this and helped process the cancellation and refund in a very timely manner. When we are ready to book our trip again, I will certainly be reaching out to Sharon and Asia Highlights! Ali Tahir, Sep 2023 | I just wanted to tell you how pleased… I just wanted to tell you how pleased we were planning and coordinating our recent Japan trip with Alisa Liu. Alisa was responsive, answered questions in a timely manner despite our 15 hour time difference, and coordinated a trip for a 6 person multi-generational tour to everyone's satisfaction. (ages7-70!)We were particularly thankful for her help as 2 typhoons bore down on Japan during our stay. She helped us rearrange train and hotel reservations, and was able to get us a refund from a hotel that would not typically offer that. I have referred other friends to her with confidence. Berdine Bender, Sep 2023 | Leah Stine Not only Albee was great! Each of our guides and drivers were also a joy. Daniel was our first knowledgeable guide who spoke excellent English and was so much fun throughout the day. Jeremy was our guide for the next few days and he also was fun, flexible, and had so many interesting tidbits to share with us throughout the day. Kiko was our guide on the next leg of our journey. She had such a joyful sense of adventure and curiosity that was such a hoot. Vivian was also professional and very aware to what our needs were in the moment. Tian was incredibly flexible and when our plans literally changed when he picked us up, he showed great flexibility and took us to some really fun places at the last minute that were some of our best experiences. And finally Charlie was our last guide and he was so thoughtful and consistently anticipated our needs. By the time we realized we might need something, he would already have it taken care of. All of our guides were so thoughtful and conscious of either making sure we got time to ourselves or of being available right when we needed them. They were each fun and had their own personal flavor that they brought to the experience. We are so grateful for the consideration and flexibility that Asia Highlights showed us consistently and would highly recommend them for anyone interested in visiting Asia. Thank you so much! It was an amazing trip! Leah Stine, Aug 2023 | Alisa is awesome! We have been looking to go to Japan for a long time. The food, the culture, and the rich history have always intrigued us. We tried many times to set up pieces of the trip on our own, but couldn’t put together a sensible vacation. Then we found Asia Highlights and Alisa! She helped us tailor a remarkable adventure to Japan! She answered our many questions and shifted our itinerary to maximize our time in each city. I highly recommend Alisa to help you put together the trip of a lifetime. We are looking forward to our journey! Mark Linn, Aug 2023 | Sharon has been very helpful since the… Sharon has been very helpful since the beginning coordinating our itinerary in order to accommodate everything we want to see, it been great working with her May, Jul 2023 | When I first book I was scared of what… When I first book I was scared of what to expect, but oh my God! What an amazing experience this has been, from Sharon to all the guides Shawn and Mr. Ho, such amazing people! Their work is excellent Saul Velez, Jul 2023 | Albee was very helpful and responsive… Albee was very helpful and responsive in helping me make plans for their 10 day Japanese tour. Bhavini Patel, Jul 2023 | Alisa was a perfect tour consultant Alisa responded to my numerous questions with efficiency and accuracy. She was constantly suggesting options to make the trip more enjoyable Matha Goram, Jul 2023 |
General Expenses in Japan
Planning a trip to Japan requires careful planning of your budget. Costs of travel in Japan are quite similar to those in western countries.
To help with this, we have gathered some information about general expenses, so you can get an idea of your likely average daily expenses.
Typically a 3-star package tour starts from about $600 USD per person per day, including public transportation, full-day itinerary, a private guide, tickets for attractions, and a local 3-star hotel.
Accommodation
As everywhere else, accommodation prices vary greatly according to the season; you can expect to pay a lot during the peak cherry-blossom season. Prices are highest around New Year, Golden Week and cherry blossom season.
A western style standard double room at business hotel
Mid-range accommodation ranges from $150 to $300 per night, while boutique hotels cost more than $400 per night (and prices can go much higher). You may have heard of ryokan (Japanese inns): most are quite affordable, but the luxury ones, with dinner included, cost about $400 per person per night.
There are two basic classifications of accommodations: western-style and traditional. The range of hospitality is diverse in every aspect, style, price, the size and quality of rooms, and facilities provided.
The western-style business hotels cater to budget-conscious travelers. Being located in city centers round subway stations, they are very convenient and affordable. Our favorites include the Citadines Central Shinjuku in Tokyo, and the Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo and Mitsui Garden Kyoto Sanjo.
A ryokan is a Japanese-style inn, offering a glimpse into a more traditional way of life. They are fitted out with wash*tsu (Japanese-style rooms) with tatami flooring, shoji (sliding paper doors), and tokonoma (decorative alcoves).
Prices vary from ryokan to ryokan. A room in a primary ryokan costs between $130 and $180 per night. Meals (dinner and breakfast) are generally taken together with other travelers at a fixed time.
A family-run minshuku, a type of guesthouse, is a more intimate way to experience the Japanese lifestyle. With room rates starting from $80 per night, this is an economical option. The atmosphere is more homey than professional.
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Transport
Getting around is extremely easy, and transport systems are super-efficient and clean. Taking a train is a pleasure as the Japanese train system is the best in the world.
For example, to take the bullet train (one way) from Tokyo to Kyoto costs about USD $160 in standard class; while to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima you will have to pay about $130.
Seats inside the bullet train
If you are planning on traveling around the country a lot, you can purchase a JR (Japan Rail) pass, which is relatively cheap and gives travelers access to all JR lines across the country. A 7-day JR pass is typically enough for most travelers, and costs around 29,110 yen (about $260). JR pass must be purchased before the trip from an agent abroad.
A sample of reserved seat ticket by JR Pass
To move around within a city is cheaper: a short subway ride in Tokyo costs only $2. Basic fare tickets for short distance are normally bought from ticket machines. Many stations have maps in English, indicating the fares to destinations. We recommend buy a pre-loaded card, such as the SUICA, PASMO, or ICOCA cards, that can be used for metros and buses.
If you want to take a taxi, note that fares start from around USD $7, and can easily end up really expensive. Fares increase per mile, and are higher at night and on weekend. You will, however, enjoy service to remember.
Walking is a great way of exploring the country's cities. There are a dozen of paid walking tours covering various areas of the city and focus on themes such as tea ceremony, traditional gardens and local markets. If you are happy to share the experience in small groups up to 10 people, it becomes a better value option.
Guided Tours
English-speaking guides are expensive in Japan. The guide fees for a day tour lasting about 8 hours are about $300 per person, with public transport.
Tours typically start with picking up clients from hotels and end at the last attraction or at the station. Then the guide will show you how to use the transport system, making it easier for you to explore independently during the rest of the day.
We suggest you arrange at least a full day's guided tour of Kyoto and Tokyo to see the highlights. A tour guide will provide insight into the cities, brief you on their history, and help you navigate the transportation smoothly, adding real value to your experience.
It's not necessary to arrange a guided tour every day, once you've tackled some sightseeing yourself.
A local guide is explaining how to brew a cup of tea
Being unable to speak or read Japanese is not usually a problem, especially in large cities. Many signs are displayed in Roman script along with English.
Tourist information can be obtained from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). The JNTO has a large range of useful leaflets and brochures to help visitors explore Japan with more confidence.
In Tokyo, the TIC or Tourist Information Center offers visitors suggestions on tour itineraries. Local information can be obtained from the Tourist Information Offices founded in almost every town, usually in or near the main station.
There are also goodwill tour guide groups, made up of Japanese volunteers, registered with JNOT, willing to assist visitors from overseas. JNTO has 82 Systematized Goodwill Guide groups, which offer local tours in English. Visitors are expected to pay their guide's expenses.
Food and Drinks
Savoring a sushi meal at a kaiten zushi shop
In Japan, food is always good, but it can be really expensive. If you love sushi and you want to taste the best in the world, you would have to spend about USD $300 per person. It is common, however, to find inexpensive yet exquisite sushi for less than USD $10.
Use chopsticks to eat sushi
Restaurants specializing in sushi vary in style from low-priced kaiten-zushi shops, where sushi comes out on a conveyor belt, to expensive places where everything is of optimum freshness and quality. As a general rule, if there are no prices listed anywhere, it's for an expensive dinner.
Plain ramen with toppings
And not everything is as expensive as sushi. Lots of other common foods can be purchased at a lower price. This is true of onigiri (rice balls), that come for USD $2, pastries ($3), ramen ($5-10) and the like. Ramen are served in cheap Chinese restaurant called chukka-ryoriya, in specialty shops called ramenya, and at night street stalls called yatai.
A dish of yudofu
If you wish to eat a lunch set, called teishoku, with rice, fish, miso soup, tea, and vegetables, you can expect to pay around USD $12. For a meal at an izakaya (a Japanese pub), including food and drink, expect to pay about USD $50.
a classic serving set of sake
Bottled water comes for just USD $1, while coffee costs $3. The price of beer is not too different from the rest of the world, as you can buy draft beer for $6.
A cup of sake, the typical rice liquor in Japan, starts at $8, but you will have to pay more for higher quality. A glass of wine is slightly more expensive, and whisky varies dramatically,so just ask the price beforehand.
Make the Most of Your Budget When Visiting Japan
As we have seen, Japan is relatively expensive. But don't worry! It is still totally possible to travel on a budget and get the best from your experience, making every penny count.
Consider the Off-Season
Autumn isn't as busy as spring
The off-season is autumn, when Japan is just as beautiful, but without the hassle of big crowds and higher prices. The country is especially crowded from March to May, during Golden Week and the cherry blossom season. During that period, the price for guided tours and hotels is 30% higher than usual.
Find out when is the Best Time to Visit Japan
Get Around in a Smart Way
Take a subway
Moving from one city to another can be quite expensive, but fortunately you can purchase a Japan rail pass for 7, 14, or 21 days. The standard prices are ￥29,110, ￥46,390 or ￥59,350 respectively. It is totally worth it, if you take a lot of trains, giving unlimited travel on all JR lines and affiliated buses.
When travelling within the city, purchase a day-pass for the metro (for about USD $7-$15), or use Suica top-ups. You will save some money, and won't need to worry about buying tickets or having exact change.
There are numerous systems of local transportation in the major cities, all of which are efficient, safe, and clean.
Choose Good-Value Accommodation
The interior of a guesthouse
In Japan, a good thing about accommodation is that, regardless of the price, the quality is high. An expensive hotel will be comfortable, but even inexpensive locations are still pretty good , maybe just smaller.
This is the case with business hotels, designed for travelling businessmen who need a small and inexpensive place to stay the night. A double room costs about USD $80.
In Kyoto, you can try one of the many townhouses, or machiya: simple yet comfortable houses transformed into visitor accommodation. The houses are usually made of wood and built on two floors. You can rent the whole house, with plenty of space, a kitchen, and a washing machine.
Typical capsule hotel
In big cities like Tokyo you might want to experience a capsule hotel, typical of Japan: for about USD $40 per person, you can stay in a small yet cozy capsule with a reading light, outlets, and a small TV. Bathroom and common areas are shared.
One nice thing about staying in Japan is experiencing a ryokan, a family-run inn. You can find luxury ones (see above), but most are reasonably priced.
The style is pretty spartan: a simple room, with a futon as a bed, and a kaiseki dinner included (an elaborate multi-course meal with traditional dishes, usually homemade). Most also have a free onsen (hot spring). Expect to pay at least USD $80 per person per night.
Look for Inexpensive Food
Fruits in a convenience store
As noted above, there is tons of inexpensive food; you just have to choose carefully.
For daily meals, we strongly recommend you try Japanese fast food, cheap and healthy, or a sushi train restaurant, where you pay $2 per plate. Convenience stores have lots of snacks and drinks, ideal for a busy day of sightseeing.
You can also find all-you-can-eat restaurants for about $20, and many restaurants offer lunch deals, consisting of dinner dishes sold at reduced prices.
Explore Japan with Asia Highlights
Now you know how to save money, you can re-start planning for your next trip to Japan! Let Asia Highlights help you: our professional staff will take care of everything, making sure you and your family have the hassle-free trip.
